Radio Bulgaria

More than 40,000 visitors came to this year’s 17th spring edition of the Health Alley forum. This is Bulgaria’s largest specialized fair focused on health, beauty and disease prevention. It is held twice annually – in the spring and autumn - at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The forum’s organizer is Mirta Medicus Company with cooperation from the Ministry of Health, the National Center for Public Health Protection and from various patient organizations and other NGOs. Health Alley unites more than 80 companies and NGOs in the area of medicinal drugs, phytotherapy, health-promoting services and know-how. The fair features natural and phytotherapeutic products, medicines, food additives, curative and herbal cosmetics, honey products, vitamins and minerals, as well as trends in the prophylaxis and treatment of socially relevant diseases.

“During the fair visitors are invited for some free of charge checks”, explains Marin Penkov, General Manager of Mirta Medicus, organizer of the event. “We carry out measurements of the carbon monoxide for the prevention of pulmonary diseases. This check is quite important for smokers. There is a booth where visitors can measure their Body Mass Index. Unfortunately, there are many people in Bulgaria suffering from overweight and obesity. Another socially relevant problem that we pay special attention to, is osteoporosis. There is a special device installed here that measures bone density. On the spot people are consulted by doctors about the most appropriate diet and for the possible intake of food additives and vitamins.”

The keen visitor interest throughout the fair’s five days attests to that Bulgarians have become more responsible where their health is concerned. There is rising demand for healthy natural products, and visitors have increasingly turned for information about healthy habits and ways. In the recent years the Health Alley fair is more often visited by entire families, meaning an improvement of the health culture in this country. Health Alley might be instrumental to changing bad habits. One of the producers displaying products at the fair is apiarist Anton Penchev. He tirelessly praises the health- promoting properties of honey and bee products. Here is his recipe for sound health:

“My day starts with honey, royal jelly, propolis and pollen, and closes with a spoon of honey. In a glass of water I put one tablespoonful of honey, one tablespoonful of apple vinegar and one tablespoonful of lemon juice. This is my elixir of youth.”

English version Daniela Konstantinova